Westwood, New Jersey
Their Own Pied Piper
Some police officers wear their profession like a second skin. Not Michael T. Wholey. "If you asked Mike what he did, he'd say he worked for the Port Authority," said his wife, Jennifer. If pressed, she said, he would say he had put in eight years with the Port Authority Police and looked forward to retiring when their three children finished college. "He was an excellent police officer," she said, "but it didn't define him."
What did define the 34-year-old officer, say those closest to him, was the way he was with children, his own and those of others. "He was like a Pied Piper," said his sister Bernadette. The minute he pulled up in his driveway at home in Westwood, N.J., he was surrounded by children begging him to take them to the park.
Officer Wholey's sharp family focus was accompanied by a refined maturity that had long impressed his friends. "Years ago, there were times when we'd be sitting in a pub without even enough money to pay the bar tab," said Jim Cunneen, a friend since the seventh grade. "Mike would be saying: `What? You don't have life insurance!' "
His closest friends expected Officer Wholey to always do the proper thing. The Friday before Sept. 11, they were not surprised when he missed their annual golf outing because he went to a retirement party for another Port Authority officer. "He knew that guy was going to retire only once," Mr. Cunneen said, "but he'd get to see us many times."
I am a teacher in Florida. Every year we choose a name to honor on 9/11. I will pray in Michael's honor today, for his family and all of the victims and their families. God Bless You.
Diana Alvarez
September 11, 2024 | Plantation, FL
Always in my thoughts and prayers
colleen Riordan
September 11, 2022 | Family
Well Michael,
I thank you for your service and efforts to save lives for the Port Authority on September 11th. Its an honour to write this note for a 9/11 hero.
Alexander Lai
June 18, 2019 | Toronto, ON
Miss you
October 17, 2016 | NY
Central Georgia Mounted Color Guard
The Central Georgia Mounted Color Guard is hosting a commemorative horseback ride this weekend - one of the check posts is in honor of this brave man. May God bless your family for their supreme sacrifice. Never forgotten and respectfully remembered always!
Kim Flemming
September 09, 2015 | GA
Today I had the honor to climb in memory of Mr. Wholey in the San Diego 9/11 memorial stairclimb. Rest in Peace. We will never forget your sacrifice.
Lorna Briddick
September 05, 2015 | San Diego, CA
Michael it is so good to be able to see your face here on this site. We worked together @ Medi Mart in New City NY. It was my first job and you made it fun to go to work. We ended up being friends and you ended up being my best freind @ that time 1st cousin. That was so crazy since you went to south and I went to north who new. I went back to NYC 1 year after 9/11 and it was very emotional. You were one of a kind and I'm sure you are looking down on your family and helping all of them get...
Lisa Seiler
September 11, 2014 | Greensburg, PA
Mike, you are never forgotten. May God shed his Grace on your entire family. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hands.
September 11, 2014 | NY
I would just like to say I am sorry for what has happened to him and all the others who died that day, but you are not and will never be forgotten. My law enforcement class is doing a 9/11 poster with the names of everyone that died that day, and I promise that those who died will NEVER be forgotten.
Angelina G
September 09, 2014 | Flower Mound, TX